When Sony unveiled Ghost of Yotei—the hotly anticipated next chapter in Sucker Punch’s samurai saga—at May’s State of Play, fans erupted. Stunning landscapes, fluid combat, and a fresh feudal Japan setting promised another masterpiece. But for owners of the original PlayStation 5 model, the excitement quickly soured: Sony confirmed custom faceplates themed to the game will only release for the newer PS5 Slim, leaving legacy console owners in the cold.
The backlash was instant. Social media flooded with complaints from players who’d invested in the $499 launch PS5, only to feel abandoned. "I bought my PS5 Day One, trusting Sony’s ecosystem," tweeted @SamuraiGamer_JP. "Now they’re telling me my loyalty doesn’t earn a $30 plate?" Reddit threads echoed the sentiment, with one user quipping, "Guess ‘Play Has No Limits’ excludes OG hardware."
This isn’t Sony’s first faceplate controversy. The original PS5’s removable panels sparked a cottage industry of third-party designs, but Sony’s official offerings have been sparse. The company shifted strategy with 2023’s slimmer PS5 model, marketing replaceable plates as a key feature. Now, Ghost of Yotei’s plates—expected to showcase icy Hokkaido vistas or samurai motifs—join titles like *Spider-Man 2* as Slim exclusives, deepening the divide.
For context, here’s the breathtaking Ghost of Yotei reveal trailer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tpy0vfXXnd8&ab_channel=PlayStation
The trailer itself hints at why fans are so invested: snow-swept battles, haunting atmosphere, and a lone warrior’s journey—perfect inspiration for collectible hardware. Yet while Slim owners can physically immerse themselves in Yotei’s world, OG supporters get digital pre-order bonuses at best. Sony hasn’t clarified why the plates are restricted, though insiders speculate production costs and the Slim’s modular design play roles.
When pressed for comment, Sony’s PR team offered boilerplate: "We continually innovate to enhance player experiences." No apology, no compromise. For many, it’s a painful reminder of gaming’s shift toward planned obsolescence. "It’s not about the plastic," argues podcast host Alex Chen. "It’s about feeling valued. Sony’s pushing upgrades, not community."
Ghost of Yotei remains a 2026 must-play for all PS5 owners, but this move risks alienating the core audience that fueled the console’s record launch. As one fan put it: "We built the foundation. Now Sony’s decorating the penthouse and locking us out."
The Bottom Line: Unless Sony reverses course, OG PS5 loyalists will watch Ghost of Yotei’s era dawn from the sidelines—their consoles visibly stuck in the past.
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